Refrigerator



H. RUFENER Er AL Aug. 28, 1934.

REFRIGERATOR Filed Dec. 20, 1932 #15 awucmfo'bs Snow;

, the provision of a design of refrigerating space r the refrigerator but extending into the refriger- Patented Aug. 28, 1934 REFRIGERATOR Hans Rufener and Theophil Eichmann, Bern- Liebefeld, Switzerland, assignors to International Carbonic Engineering Company, oil Kennett Square, Pa., a corporation of Delaware Application December 20, 1932, Serial No. 648,128 In- Switzerland December 23, 1931 6 Claims.

This invention relates to certain improvements in refrigerators; and the nature and objects of the invention will be readily recognized and understood by those skilled in the arts involved in the light of the following explanation and detailed description of the accompanying drawing illustrating what we at present believe to be the preferred embodiment or mechanical expression of our invention from among various other forms, arrangements, combinations and constructions of which the invention is capable within the spirit and the scope thereof.

Our invention is directed to a design and arrangement of refrigerator of the general, socalled household types, although the various features of the invention are not restricted to such types or any specific uses; and a main object of the invention is to materially reduce the cold losses from the refrigerating space by the heat transfer thereto from the exterior when such space is opened to gain access thereinto, through solid carbon dioxide as the cooling or refrigerating medium therefor, and we have illustrated a form of such refrigerator in the accompanying drawing. Such refrigerator includes in the present instance, a more or less usual refrigerator body consisting of an outer casing 10 supported on legs or other desired supports 11, and an inner body or enclosing wall 12 of considerable thickness and formed of an efficient heat insulating material, which inner insulating wall 12 surrounds and completely occupies the space between the outer casing 10 and an inner casing 14 which forms and provides the refrigerating or cooling compartment C. This inner casing 14 is, in accordance with a feature of our invention, of circular form with substantially fiat horizontal top and bottom walls, to form a circular refrigerating compartment C although our invention in all respects does not require and is not limited to a compartment C of circular form, as the compartment can be of angular form if desired.

The forward or front side wall of the refrigerator is provided with a door opening therethrough which is alined and substantially co-extensive with a side wall opening C formed through the compartment forming casing 14. The refrigerator door opening is of rectangular outline and. defined and outlined by a frame structure 15, into which a heat insulated door 16 is fitted and received; the door 16 being swingably mounted or hinged in the usual manner for outward swinging to open position. In the example hereof, the side wall of casing 14 at opposite sides of opening C is extended and secured to door frame 15 (see Fig. 2), while the top and bottom walls of the casing also extend to and engage door frame 15 (see Fig. 1) Thus, a substantially enclosed opening or passage extends through the refrigerator into the compartment C, which is normally closed by door 16, but which can be opened by the door for access to the interior of compartment C from the exterior of the refrigerator.

The invention provides an arrangement of circular rotary shelves or supporting platforms 20 and 21, spaced apart vertically in compartment 0. For instance, a vertical post or shaft 22 is suitably mounted and fixed on the bottom wall of casing 14, disposed axially or centrally thereof, and extending a distance upwardly into the compartment C. The lower circular shelf 20 has an axial upstanding sleeve 23 which rotatably fits over and on shaft 22 with the shelf 20 disposed at the lower side of compartment C in proximate to but spaced slightly above the bottom wall of casing 14. The upper shelf 21 is formed with an and article supporting means therein, by which it is possible to provide a minimum opening for access into the space for inserting and removing articles to be refrigerated.

A further feature of our invention is directed to the refrigeration or cooling of such types of refrigerators, as Well as any and all other adaptable types, by the use of solidified gas refrigerants, such for example, as solid carbon dioxide; and such feature resides in the provision of a design and removable mounting of a refrigerant holding cooling or refrigerant unit on the top of.

ating compartment in thermal relation therewith for cooling such compartment.

With the foregoing general objects and features in view, as well as certain others which will be clearly apparent from the following description, our invention consists in certain novel features in construction and in arrangement and combination of elements, all as will be more fully and particularly referred to and specified hereinafter.

Referring to the accompanying drawing:

Fig. 1 is a vertical transverse section taken through a refrigerator of the household type which embodies and incorporates the several features of our invention. 1

Fig. 2 is a horizontal section taken as on the line 22, through the refrigerator of Fig. 1.

We have selected as an example and for the purpose of explaining the features of our invention, a. household type of refrigerator for utilizing axial depending pin 24 having a reduced lower end which is threaded into the upper end of lower shelf sleeve 23, so that, the upper and lower shelves are secured together as a unit and are rotatably mounted on shaft 22. An anti-friction ball 25 is preferably mounted and interposed between the upper end of shaft 22 and the lower end of pin 24, within the sleeve 23, and thus forms the supporting bearing for and on which the shelf unit is freely rotatably mounted. The diameter of shelves 20 and 21, is preferably but slightly less than that of the compartment C (see Fig. 2), so that, operating clearance space obtains between the casing 14 side wall and these shelves. With the illustrated arrangement the shelves are positioned with the upper shelf 21 about midway of the height of compartment C.

By thus arranging a rotating shelf or shelves within compartment C, it is possible to provide a relatively small or narrow door opening and door 16 therefor, with respect to the diameter or width of compartment C, because by rotating the shelves,

any portion thereof can be moved to easy reach and access through such a small width door opening. The use of the narrow or reduced width door opening reduces the extent of packing or sealing surfaces between the door and its frame, thus, reducing heat transfer losses, and further by reducing the area of the door opening, the heat losses occasioned each time door 16 is opened are materially reduced. If on opening door 16, the article on the shelves is not accessible, a quick turn of the shelves will bring it to position for access, and all with minimum heat loss.

By the foregoing design and arrangement with the resulting reduction of cold losses from refrigerator door opening, the refrigerating compartment C temperature is maintained more nearly uniform, and the highly undesirable temperature fluctuations with their injurious effect on the material being refrigerated, are substantially decreased.

While the refrigerating compartment 0 can be cooled in any desired manner and by any medium, the refrigerator design and arrangement exemplified by the foregoing description, is particularly adapted to the use of solidified gas refrigerants, such as solid carbon dioxide, and through the features explained, aid in the conservation of such refrigerants and thus reduce the quantity required over a given period of time, to obtain and maintain a desired temperature in compartment C. J

Referring to Fig.1 of the drawing, a solid carbon dioxide holding and refrigerating unit is disclosed as mounted in the upper or top wall of the refrigerator in thermal relation with compartment C. A vertical and substantially circular opening is provided down through the top wall of the refrigerator to the upper wall of compartment C casing 14, which opening is enlarged in diameter upwardly a distance therein from compartment C. The casing 14 top wall is formed with an upstanding annular portion 14' extending up into the enlarged portion of the refrigerator top wall opening and forms an annular open bottom groove or space 14a. This annular portion surrounds a portion 14b of casing 14 top wall below and across the vertical opening which receives and supports a refrigerant holding plate member 30.

An inverted double-walled, vacuum insulated bell jar 31, is provided with an exterior insulating material sleeve 32 there around, and this jar is removably fitted down into and through the vertical opening in the refrigerator top wall, to

form a heat insulating compartment within which a block of solid carbon dioxide R supported on plate 30, is enclosed. Vacuum insulated jar 31 extends a distance above the refrigerator and such extended length is covered by a protecting cap 33 secured at its lower end to sleeve 32. When a fresh charge of solid carbon dioxide is required, the jar 31 is raised and removed from its mounted position, and a block of refrigerant R is placed down in the top wall chamber forming opening, onto supporting plate 30. The jar 31 isthen placed down in the top opening,'over and enclosing block R, to provide the highly efficient heat insulating enclosure therefor, as will be clear by reference to Fig. 1.

In operation,.the heat from compartment C, causes sublimation of the block R, and the arrangement is preferably such that the intensely cold carbon dioxide gases of sublimation may pass or flow through suitable openings or apertures provided in the structure 14'-14b, into the compartment C, to refrigerate the latter. Any suitable provision for necessary gas leakage from compartment C to atmosphere may also be provided. Further, the walls 14b and 14' are preferably of metal or other heat conducting material, so that, cold is transferred there through to the compartment C, as will be readily apparent.

Due to the low temperature of the walls 14b and 14', the moisture in the air in refrigerating compartment C, will freeze out as frost or water ice particles and collect on such walls, so that, the invention makes provision for trapping and draining the water which drips therefrom when such collection of ice melts. For instance, a drip pan 35 is suitably securedbelow and across wall 141) in the compartment C, with its upstanding side wall extending and disposed in the annular space 14a formed by the upstanding annular portion 14' of the compartment top wall. In this manner, drip pan 35 is mounted to catch drip from around wall 14b, but extends a minimum distance into compartment C, so as to avoid interfering with and obstructing the normal use of the compartment space. So as to avoid the necessity of removing pan 35 to drain the same, it is provided with a drain spout 36 at its forward side adjacent door 16, by which water collected in the pan can be drained therefrom. Preferably spout 36 is provided with a suitable valve, stopper, or the like, for normally closing the same.

It is also evident that various changes, modifications, variations, and substitutions might be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of our invention and hence-we do not wish to limit ourselves in all respects to the exact and specific disclosures hereof.

What we claim, is:

1. In a refrigerator for utilizing a solidified gas refrigerant, heat insulating walls surrounding and forming a refrigerating compartment there within, the top insulating wall formed with a 'vertical passage extending downwardly therethrough to said compartment and having its lower end portion within. the wall of enlarged diameter,

a heat transfer wall across the inner, lower end of said passage of less diameter than the enlarged lower portion thereof and provided with a vertical wall extending upwardly therefrom through the enlarged portion of the passage, said vertical passage through the top insulating wall providing a chamber adapted to receive a charge of refrigerant there within supported on said inner end heat transfer wall and in thermal relation with the refrigerating compartment through said wall and its upwardly extended wall portion, and a vacuum insulated bell jar removably fitted down into said top wall passage, over and enclosing the charge of refrigerant'therein.

- 2. In a refrigerator for utilizing a solidified gas refrigerant, heat insulating walls surrounding and forming a refrigerating compartment there within, a vertical chamber formed extending downwardly through the top insulating wall and formed at its inner end within the refrigerating compartment by a heat transfer bottom wall and side wall extending upwardly therefrom and there around said chamber adapted to receive a charge of refrigerant therein supported on said bottom wall, the under side of the top insulating wall formed with a space therein around the heat transfer wall of the lower end of said refrigerant chamber in open communication with the refrigerating compartment, and a vacuum insulated bell jar removably fitted down into andthrough the refrigerant chamber, over and enclosing a charge of refrigerant therein.

3. In a refrigerator for utilizing a solidified gas refrigerant, heat insulating walls surrounding and forming a refrigerating compartment there within, a vertical chamber formed extending downwardly through the refrigerator top insulating wall and having its lower end within the refrigerating compartment provided by a heat transfer bottom wall and side-wall extending upwardly therefrom and there around, the under side of the top insulating wall formed with a space therein around the heat transfer wall of the inner end of the refrigerant chamber and. opening into the refrigerating compartment, said refrigerant chamber adapted to receive a charge.

of refrigerant therein supported on the heat transfer bottom wall in thermal relation with the refrigerating compartment therethrough, a vacuum insulated bell jar removably fitted down into said chamber over" and enclosing a charge of refrigerant therein, and a moisture drip pan secured in position over and across the bottom wall of said refrigerant chamber within the refrigerating compartment and having its vertical-- ,side wall disposed extended upwardly into the space around the lower end of the chamber, said drip pan being provided with means for draining moisture therefrom.

4. In a refrigerator for utilizing a solidified" wardly therefrom and therearound, the under side of the top insulating wall formed with a space therein around the heat transfer wall of the inner end of the refrigerant chamber and opening into the refrigerating compartment said refrigerant chamber adapted to receive a charge of refrigerant therein supported on the heat transfer bottom wall in thermal relation with the refrigerating compartment therethrough, a. heat insulating closure for the upper end of said refrigerant chamber, and a moisture drip pan secured in position over and across the bottom wall of said refrigerant chamber within the refrigerating compartment and having its vertical side wall disposed extended upwardly into the space around the lower end of the refrigerant chamber.

5. In a refrigerator for utilizing a solidified gas refrigerant, heat insulating walls surrounding and forming a refrigerating compartment therewithin, a vertical chamber formed extending downwardly through the top insulating wall and formed at its inner end within the refrigerating compartment by a heat transfer bottom wall and side wall extending upwardly therefrom and therearound, said chamber adapted to receive a charge of refrigerant therein supported on said bottom wall, the under side of the top insulating wall formed with a space therein around the heat transfer side wall of the lower end of the refrigerant chamber in open communication with the refrigerating compartment and a vacuum insulated bell jar removably fitted down into and through the refrigerant chamber over and enclosing a charge of refrigerant therein, the said vacuum insulated jar extended down through the refrigerant chamber with the open lower edge of the jar in close proximity to the refrigerant supporting bottom wall of the refrigerant chamber.

6. In a refrigerator, a circular refrigerating compartment having a side wall opening of less width than the diameter of said compartment, a door normally closing said opening, a centrally arranged vertically disposed shaft extending upwardly a distance into the compartment from the bottom wall'thereof, a tube having a closed upper end fitted down over said shaft, a ball interposed between the upper ends of said shaft and tube to rotatably mount and support the tube on the shaft, and a plurality of circular shelves horizontallydisposed and carried by said tube vertically spaced apart thereon for rotation therewith, the diameter of said shelves considerably greater than the width of said compartment side opening. 

